Philadelphia is the fifth most populous city in the United States and
the most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania, occupying all of
Philadelphia County.6 As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,517,550.
A July 1, 2002 census estimate showed the population dropping modestly
to 1,492,231. The Philadelphia metropolitan area is the sixth largest
nationally, with some 6.2 million people. Philadelphia is the central
city for the Delaware Valley metropolitan area.

Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It has
played a critical role in American history and the birth of American independence,
democracy, and freedom. During part of the 18th century, the city was
the second capital and then-most populous city of the United States. At
that time, it eclipsed Boston and New York City in political and social
importance, with Benjamin Franklin playing an extraordinary role in Philadelphia's
rise.

Philadelphia's economy is heavily based upon manufacturing, refining,
food, and financial services. Philadelphia has its own stock exchange.

Like every big city, Philadelphia has many neighborhoods, each of which
has its own identity. Many of these neighborhoods coincide with the borough
and townships that made up Philadelphia County before their absorbtion
by the city. These include Andorra, Roxborough, Northern Liberties, Old
City, Bustleton, Oxford Circle, Feltonville, Somerton, Manayunk, Center
City, Queen Village, Kensington, Frankford, University City, Strawberry
Mansion, Chestnut Hill, Fishtown, Port Richmond, Germantown, Mount Airy,
Mayfair, Wynnefield, Chinatown, Fox Chase, South Philly, Society Hill,
the Museum District and many others.

Two airports, Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia
Airport, reside within the city limits.

Philadelphia has been home to many people of note, the most famous of
whom is probably Ben Franklin, who along with the others in the Continental
Congresses helped shape the city along with the country and the world.

Its cultural diversity is reflected in the music and musicians that have
come from or through Philadelphia: the R&B styles of Jill Scott and
Patti LaBelle, the jazz of Grover Washington Jr., Stan Getz, and Sun Ra,
the rock of Pink, the rap of Will Smith, and the opera of Marian Anderson.
Famed comedian Bill Cosby was born and raised in Philadelphia.